ORANGE footballs are being suspended from problem power lines in the North Pennines in a fight to save rare birds.

Conservationists and NEDL (Northern Electric Distribution) have put their heads together to come up with this extraordinary way to stop black grouse, one of the country's rarest birds, from flying into overhead power lines.

Phil Warren, Black Grouse Recovery Project Officer, said "Black grouse fly at up to 60mph and collisions with power lines can be fatal. Marking of these lines to make them more visible to black grouse, in conjunction with the habitat management and predator control undertaken in these areas, will contribute to securing and increasing the numbers of black grouse in the North Pennines which is the English stronghold for these rare birds."

Backed by English Nature, the Game Conservancy Trust, RSPB, Ministry of Defence and Northumbrian Water, the plans form part of the North Pennines Black Grouse Recovery Project in which has spent tens of thousands of pounds have been spent in safeguarding these endangered birds.

Stuart Hedley, English Nature's Conservation Officer said "This type of air traffic control measure is proving very successful in other parts of the country. The footballs increase the visibility of the power lines and so reduce collisions. We're delighted that NEDL are installing these simple yet effective measures which are a must in maintaining bird numbers."